Abstract: An air management system including at least one air spring and a compressor. The compressor defines a compartment having an inlet and an outlet. A reservoir is fluidly connected to the air spring and the compressor. A piston is moveable in the compartment and is reciprocally moveable in a compression stroke and an extension stroke in response to actuation of the motor in order to build-up air pressure at the outlet. The piston defines at least one passage extending between the extension chamber and the compression chamber, and at least one check valve positioned in the at least one passage such that air pressure in the compression chamber biases the piston toward the extension chamber to reduce a torque load on the motor during movement of the piston.

Abstract: A concurrent leveling system includes a pressurized air source. A manifold block, having a body defining an air feed inlet, is disposed between air springs and the pressurized air source. The body includes front and rear suspension valves. Each of the suspension valves defines a suspension valve orifice having a first predetermined diameter. The body includes at least one restrictor valve parallel to and in fluid communication with the front suspension valves. The at least one restrictor valve includes a first check valve and a first blocker valve orifice defining a first orifice diameter. The first check valve and the first blocker valve orifice are disposed parallel to one another and in series with the front suspension valves and in fluid communication with the air feed inlet and the front suspension valves for reducing fluid back flow to allow the vehicle to be lowered in nominal loading conditions.

Abstract: An air management system including at least one air spring and a compressor. The compressor defines a compartment having an inlet and an outlet. A reservoir is fluidly connected to the air spring and the compressor. A piston is moveable in the compartment and is reciprocally moveable in a compression stroke and an extension stroke in response to actuation of the motor in order to build-up air pressure at the outlet. The piston defines at least one passage extending between the extension chamber and the compression chamber, and at least one check valve positioned in the at least one passage such that air pressure in the compression chamber biases the piston toward the extension chamber to reduce a torque load on the motor during movement of the piston.

Abstract: An air management system and method are provided. The system includes a pressurized air source. A manifold block is coupled to the pressurized air source and includes a plurality of suspension valves in fluid communication with the pressurized air source and each defines a suspension orifice of a first diameter for controlling air flow to and from a plurality of air springs. A manifold pressurization valve is in fluid communication with the plurality of suspension valves and the pressurized air source and defines a manifold pressurization orifice of a second diameter that is less than the first diameter of the suspension orifice for opening under high pressure to allow pressurized air into the manifold block. An electronic control unit controls the manifold pressurization valve and the plurality of suspension valves to equalize a high pressure differential across the plurality of suspension valves from the plurality of air springs.

Abstract: A concurrent leveling system includes a pressurized air source. A manifold block, having a body defining an air feed inlet, is disposed between air springs and the pressurized air source. The body includes front and rear suspension valves. Each of the suspension valves defines a suspension valve orifice having a first predetermined diameter. The body includes at least one restrictor valve parallel to and in fluid communication with the front suspension valves. The at least one restrictor valve includes a first check valve and a first blocker valve orifice defining a first orifice diameter. The first check valve and the first blocker valve orifice are disposed parallel to one another and in series with the front suspension valves and in fluid communication with the air feed inlet and the front suspension valves for reducing fluid back flow to allow the vehicle to be lowered in nominal loading conditions.

Abstract: An air management system and method are provided. The system includes a pressurized air source. A manifold block is coupled to the pressurized air source and includes a plurality of suspension valves in fluid communication with the pressurized air source and each defines a suspension orifice of a first diameter for controlling air flow to and from a plurality of air springs. A manifold pressurization valve is in fluid communication with the plurality of suspension valves and the pressurized air source and defines a manifold pressurization orifice of a second diameter that is less than the first diameter of the suspension orifice for opening under high pressure to allow pressurized air into the manifold block. An electronic control unit controls the manifold pressurization valve and the plurality of suspension valves to equalize a high pressure differential across the plurality of suspension valves from the plurality of air springs.

Abstract: An air management system for a vehicle. The air management system includes at least one air spring. A compressor is provided for filling the air spring. A central air line is fluidly connected to the air spring and the compressor. At least one spring air line extends between the central air line and the air spring. At least one suspension valve is disposed along the spring air line. At least one auxiliary air line extends between the spring air line and the central air line. At least one high flow exhaust valve is disposed along the auxiliary air line. At least one isolation check valve is disposed in series with the high flow exhaust along the spring air line. The isolation check valve allows air to pass through therethrough from the air spring to the central air line while preventing air from passing therethrough from the central air line to the air spring.

Abstract: An air management system for a vehicle. The air management system includes at least one air spring. A compressor is provided for filling the air spring. A central air line is fluidly connected to the air spring and the compressor. At least one spring air line extends between the central air line and the air spring. At least one suspension valve is disposed along the spring air line. At least one auxiliary air line extends between the spring air line and the central air line. At least one high flow exhaust valve is disposed along the auxiliary air line. At least one isolation check valve is disposed in series with the high flow exhaust along the spring air line. The isolation check valve allows air to pass through therethrough from the air spring to the central air line while preventing air from passing therethrough from the central air line to the air spring.

Abstract: A method for balancing brake force is disclosed. The method includes determining whether a deceleration value reaches a first deceleration threshold in response to a braking event and determining brake condition and vehicle motion. Based on brake condition and vehicle motion determination and the first deceleration threshold determination, the method determines whether the deceleration value reaches a second deceleration threshold, and applies threshold balancing when the second deceleration threshold is reached.

Abstract: A shape memory alloy actuator includes a housing, a plunger, a shaft, a resilient member, and a shape memory alloy component. The plunger is slidably but non-rotatably received in the housing and has a first locking component. The shaft has a second locking component. The resilient member is positioned to slidably urge the plunger into a disengagement position of the first and second locking components allowing rotation of the shaft. The shape memory alloy component is positioned to slidably urge the plunger into an engagement position of the first and second locking components, when the shape memory alloy component is heated, preventing rotation of the shaft. In one application, the first and second locking components are interdigitable vehicle-parking-brake latch teeth.

Abstract: The invention provides an electric brake system and method. The electric brake system includes an electric motor having a portion moveable along a path between a plurality of positions for moving a brake pad and applying a selectable amount of braking force on a brake rotor. One of the plurality of positions is a minimal contact position. The minimal contact position is operable to change among the plurality of positions over time. The electric brake system also includes an electric controller for controlling the electric motor to move the portion along the path between the minimal contact position and at least one other of the plurality of positions for moving the brake pad and for selecting the amount of braking force. The electric brake system also includes at least one sensor for sensing at least one of motor current, motor acceleration, controller voltage, motor speed, motor voltage, and motor temperature, and communicating a sensed condition to the controller.

Abstract: A method of initializing a brake-by-wire system is provided. The method includes connecting multiple braking actuators to a controller to allow for communication between the braking actuators and the controller. The braking actuators are associated with one or more wheels of a vehicle. Subsequent to connecting the multiple braking actuators to a controller, the method includes dynamically assigning a primary identifier to the braking actuators using the controller.

Abstract: A parking brake system including at least one braking unit actuated by at least one cable, a cylinder having a piston chamber and a rod chamber, a piston slidably received within the cylinder and having a rod connected thereto, the rod extending through the rod chamber and operably connected to the cable, a pressurized fluid source connected to the piston chamber, and a valve for controlling the flow of the fluid to the piston chamber, wherein the piston and rod move through the cylinder when the fluid pressurizes the piston chamber, thereby actuating the braking unit.

Abstract: The problem of maintaining fluid modulus during a fast mode release of fluid pressure in a force generating apparatus having a force generating actuator fluidically coupled to a force generating device is solved by limiting the rate at which the actuator can reduce fluid pressure in an apply chamber of the actuator to a rate low enough to preclude a change in modulus of the fluid during the fast mode release.

Abstract: A force generating apparatus for providing a force to a moving element based upon receipt of an electrical force signal includes a force applying element coupled to the moving element for applying the force to the moving element and an actuator coupled to the force applying element for actuation thereof in response to receiving the electrical force signal. The force generating apparatus further includes a controller for determining when the force apply element is in an apply mode, determining the elapsed time until reversion to a normal mode, determining when the elapsed time is greater than a predefined minimum, modifying the value of the electrical force signal sent to the actuator, and modifying a stored control parameter.

Abstract: An electric mechanical brake assembly includes a brake caliper housing, a ballscrew subassembly at least partially located within the housing, first and second electric motors, and at least one timing belt. A linearly-movable member of the ballscrew subassembly is attachable to a brake pad and is driven by a rotatable actuation shaft of the ballscrew subassembly. The timing belt operatively connects the drive shafts of the electric motors to the actuation shaft of the ballscrew subassembly. An electric-mechanical-brake motor subassembly includes first and second electric motors, a motor plate, and at least one timing belt. The electric motors are attached to the motor plate, and the motor plate is attachable to a brake caliper housing. The timing belt is operatively connectable to the motor drive shafts and to a rotatable actuation shaft, of a ballscrew subassembly at least partially located within the housing, for the drive shafts to rotate the actuation shaft.

Abstract: A force generating apparatus provides a force to a moving element upon receipt of an electrical force signal. The force generating apparatus includes a force applying element coupled to the moving element for applying the force to the moving element and an actuator coupled to the force applying element for actuation thereof in response to receiving the electrical force signal. The force generating apparatus further includes a controller for receiving a desired force actuation signal, determining a parameter of the desired force actuation signal, selecting a set of gains based on the parameter, applying the set of gains to a linear control function, determining the electrical force signal as a function of the linear control function, and sending the electrical force signal to the actuator.

Abstract: The problem of maintaining fluid modulus during a fast mode release of fluid pressure in a force generating apparatus having a force generating actuator fluidically coupled to a force generating device by a fluid circuit having restrictions and resistance to fluid flow is solved by sensing a pressure remotely from an actuator apply chamber, determining an estimated chamber pressure form the sensed pressure, and limiting the rate at which the actuator can reduce fluid pressure in an apply chamber of the actuator to a rate low enough to preclude a change in modulus of the fluid during the fast mode release.

Abstract: The problem of maintaining fluid modulus during a fast mode release of fluid pressure in a force generating apparatus having a force generating actuator fluidically coupled to a force generating device is solved by limiting the rate at which the actuator can reduce fluid pressure in an apply chamber of the actuator to a rate low enough to preclude a change in modulus of the fluid during the fast mode release.

Abstract: The problem of maintaining fluid modulus during a fast mode release of fluid pressure in a force generating apparatus having a force generating actuator fluidically coupled to a force generating device by a fluid circuit having restrictions and resistance to fluid flow is solved by sensing a pressure remotely from an actuator apply chamber, determining an estimated chamber pressure form the sensed pressure, and limiting the rate at which the actuator can reduce fluid pressure in an apply chamber of the actuator to a rate low enough to preclude a change in modulus of the fluid during the fast mode release.